Safe sex 'ignored'

3rd July 2007

A poll by condom company Durex has shown over 25% of people in the UK fail to use contraception the first time they have sex.

The study, which polled 26,000 people in 26 countries, shows that the UK falls in the lower half of the list of countries around the world when it comes to using contraception. It also revealed that 14% of UK virgins used drugs or drank alcohol when they had sex for the first time.

Greece came top, with 88% of virgins using contraception. Poland came second with 86% and Thailand third with 84%. The figure for the UK was 74%.

The survey showed that teenagers were more inclined to use contraceptives than people aged over 20.

Almost 80% of the 16 to 19-year-old respondents said they had safe sex during their first experience. Only 60% of 20 to 24-year-olds and just over half of 25 to 34-year-olds said they used contraception the first time.

The survey indicated that women were 25% more likely than men to use contraception, but many felt under pressure.

A spokeswoman for the Family Planning Association said: "The figures are broadly what we would expect. This shows that we should not forget about older age groups when it comes to safe sex messages."